. >> a new poll after the debate shows mitt romney bouncing up. he's now ahead 49% to 45% over the president. >>> although the race does remain very close. with both candidates returning to a state critical for victory in november. abc's karen travers is joining us now with more. hey, karen. >> good morning, rob. good morning, paula. a month out from election day, yesterday wasn't the typical day on the campaign trail. mitt romney was focused on foreign policy, and the president was asking for cash, not votes. shifting his focus to foreign affairs, mitt romney launched a scathing attack on president obama's policies and leadership overseas. >> it's time to change course in the middle east. it's clear that the risk of conflict in the region is higher now than when the president took office. >> reporter: so far the economy has dominated the campaign debate, but the romney campaign tried to seize on questions and criticisms about the president's handling of last month's attack in libya. it was also a chance to try to reverse the tide after some of ro